How Nigeria Was Colonized by the British: The Complete History

Nigeria was colonized by the British, who seized every opportunity to expand their empire. For many years, Nigeria's rich natural resources were exploited for the benefit of Britain and her people. The country experienced major social change during this period as well, particularly in terms of education and religion. This post provides a thorough history of Nigeria's colonization by the British Empire.

 

Section 1: The early encounters between the British and the Nigerians

The first known encounter between the British and the people of the region of modern-day Nigeria was on April 1, 1600, when English sailors landed on the Niger River near Katsina, the largest city in northern Nigeria. They noticed something odd about the local fishermen and asked to come ashore. It was the first time outsiders had been there in a long time, so their presence was seen as a good omen. The fishermen returned to England with the ship's log, where it became apparent that they had been in contact with sailors and traders from many different countries – India, the Arab Middle East, Iran, China, Persia, and even Japan. The British began making contact with the locals again, this time often in the guise of traders.

 

How the British Expanded their Empire in Nigeria

While the Royal Navy was at war with the United States in the 18th century, several American slave ships attempted to sail to the African continent in search of a new world. Many of these African sailors were killed by the crew of the ships after being sold as slaves in Britain and the United States.

 

In order to prevent other American slave ships from sailing to the continent, British government officials introduced the Slave Trade Act in 1708. The act allowed the government to force ships to disembark any enslaved African people they captured from ships in the Atlantic Ocean. The majority of enslaved Africans who were sold to the British came from West Africa. According to some accounts, nearly 10 million Africans were sold to the British in Africa between the 16th and 19th centuries.

 

The British Culture in Nigeria

Before the discovery of oil in 1956, Nigeria's resources were the main focus for the British Empire, and this was primarily because Nigeria was rich in agricultural wealth and other natural resources, such as rubber and copper. This was used for Britain's main purpose of taking control of the region. Moreover, the British started exploiting the country's mineral resources in order to enrich themselves. The area where they were most successful was the area around Ibadan in Yorubaland, especially because of its rubber production. In a report from the British Geological Survey, published in 1896, it was revealed that Ibadan had over 300 rubber trees, which was twice the number of trees in London, England. Moreover, there were also lots of crude oil in the area around Ibadan.

 

The Nigerian Culture in Nigeria

The Nigerian people's cultural identity can be traced back to the early centuries of the fourth millennium BC. Many Nigerians believe they are the descendants of the Yoruba people who were known to be very cultured before colonialism. As a matter of fact, Yoruba communities were known for their pursuit of knowledge. This has led many to view the Yoruba people as a culture of elites, a view that still exists today. The Yoruba people are considered very industrious, intelligent and proficient in many areas, including art, religion, law and governance.

 

As for the Yoruba language, many believe it to be the oldest in the world. Throughout history, it was the people's way of communicating with one another.

 

Conclusion

Nigeria was colonized by the British, who seized every opportunity to expand their empire. For many years, Nigeria's rich natural resources were exploited for the benefit of Britain and her people. The country experienced major social change during this period as well, particularly in terms of education and religion. This post provides a thorough history of Nigeria's colonization by the British Empire.

 

Part 1: Obtaining Control

 

Nigeria was captured by the British during the period of the First Opium War, which lasted from 1839 to 1842. It was a tense time that demanded careful planning and quick action, particularly for the traders and sailors who would bring supplies from Britain to the area.